Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-06-17

thinking OF the ola uaN-, ana Nv
ing them over again. She could not
remember the time when she and VIII
had not seemed TO belong 10 each 9TH
er. When they were children he had
drawn her TO and from school on his
sled, saved her the largest half of his
apple or orange, and fought all her
battles with vigor worthy of an old
knight. When the years in their flight
made them no longer children. it was
always Will who. at the close of meet
ing or singing school. drew her arm
through his with an air OF proprietor
ship and started for the Allen farm.
After his mothers death he had not
chosen his associates wisely, but in
spite of scorn and opposition. without
disobedience, she had chung to h m and
trusted
Then came the affair at the village.
One dark night party of roughs had
broken into Squire Peaslcy's barn. tied
together the legs of all his hens, nailed
up Whitefoots stall, and then. climb
ing the root of the ell. had placed
board soaked in salt and water over
the chimney. The old gentleman, who
lived alone. was Obliged to travel on a
slippery ground to the nearest neighbor
for help. The villagers were Justly in
dignant, and for furnishing the m scre-
ants. bat no clue to them could be
found.
VIII was away from home that
night, and suspicion rested on him as
one of the party, until he could bear
it no longer, and decided to 60 away.
1t seemed but yesterday-their part
ing in the old trystng place.
VIII had slipped the tiny gold band
she wore upon her iinger--it seemed
but thread of gold now asking her
to wear it until he came back.
For" said he. I'm never come
back TIL can offer Won "A name and "A
home Somehow. the devil has had
possession of me lately, but bad as
am, | would scorn TO do what they ac-
cuse me of-torture feeble old man.
While you believe and trust me, there
are plenty who do not" And with
last ''Good-bye. my Beth, he was
gone. When the first letter came ed
dressed to Miss Beth Allen in w liz $
round. boyish hand. Mr.. Allen frowned
and his wife scoldcd; but when she
WAS for stopping the correspondence
at once. he sad
There. there. mother. let the girl
write to him if she wants to; she won't
do him any harm. and | can trust her
for a true Allen not to 20 far out of
the way.
So the matter had dropped, and for
five years Lizabeth's letters were re.
ceived without comment; then they
ceased suddenly and Unexpectedly.
For months 'L.zabeth watched the
mails with anxious face. Mrs. Allen
shook her head with an Il told you he
didn amount to anything" whenever
there was no one but her husband to
hear. and Mr.. Allen waited in silence.
such wounds, and five years had made
it seem more like an unpleasant dream
than a REALTY; when the news of Wills
return came, awakening memories of
other days.
For once Mr.. Allen was weat her
wise. The snow had fallen through
the night, covering the earth as with
mantle; the feathery flakes continued
To come lazily down until just before
twelve o clock, then there was a rift
in the western sky. and when the old
yellow sleigh stood nj The door the
sun shone "a bri ght IL ever.
''Be careful, father. and don't let
'Lizabeth get cold waiting for YOU"
was Mrs Allen parting injunction as
she came TO the door TO see them of.
There was just wind enough to lift
the newly fallen snow and send it n lit
tie VIII RS to lie sparkling and listening
a few yards from where 1t had fallen.
Robin was in excellent spirits, and Mr..
Allen declared as he drew up in front
of the village post office that the dis
lance never seemed so short
Draw the robe close around YOU.
darter. and don't get tired waiting
I've got to bargain with Sam Chase
about that stove, but I'll be quick as |
can; then Wei drive down to Burn
hams and get the book you mention
ed" With this and an extra pull to
Robins blanket. Mr.. Alien was gone.
Father was right. the old sleigh is
more comfortable than the new one"
'Lizabeth thought, as she nestled down
in one corner, drawing the robes more
closely TO keep ont the puf's of wind
that tried to find enterance AZ all cor
ners. While tucking the robe between
the cushion and the side of the sleigh
her finger touched something smooth
like paper.
some of fathers old receipts he's so